Permafrost - the permanently frozen, lower layers of soil found in the tundra and subarctic climate zones.

What is the largest salt water lake in the world?

The Caspian Sea.

What are the major natural resources of the Ob river basin of Siberia?

Oil and natural gas.

LESSON 2

History of the Region

Why did Russia relocate some factories to central Siberia in the 1940's?

When Germany invaded Russia during World War II, Soviet leaders relocated some factories to Siberia to keep them from being captured by German forces.

Why did so so many groups take turns conquering Central Asia?

For many conquerors, the greatest prize was control of the Silk Road, the network of trade routes that links China and Europe.

What is the main religion of Central Asia?

Islam.

How did the Caucasus countries gain their independence?

LESSON 3

Life in the Regions

What is the Trans-Siberian Railroad?

The Trans-Siberian Railway (TSR, Russian: Транссибирская магистраль Transsibirskaya Magistral') is a network of railways connecting Moscow with the Russian Far East and the Sea of Japan. With a length of 9,289 km, it is the longest railway line in the world.

What is the main language and religion of Siberia?

Russian. Christianity, mainly Russian Orthodox, is the dominant religion, along with Buddhist and Muslim minorities.

What is a yurt and where are these commonly found?

A large, circular structure made of animal skins that can be packed up and moved from place to place; used as a home in Mongolia.

What has happened to the Aral Sea in the last 50 years and how did it happen?

The Aral Sea was once the 4th largest inland lake in the world. Today it has lost about 90% of its water. In the 1960s the Soviets used too much of the water for their farms.